Bill > H1167

This bill, the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026, makes base budget appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. * **Education:** * Community College System: $1.73 billion in FY2025-26 and $1.88 billion in FY2026-27 from the General Fund. * Public Instruction: $12.39 billion in FY2025-26 and $13.60 billion in FY2026-27 from the General Fund. * University of North Carolina System: $4.80 billion in FY2025-26 and $4.14 billion in FY2026-27 from the General Fund. * **Health and Human Services:** $8.70 billion in FY2025-26 and $9.71 billion in FY2026-27 from the General Fund. * **Highway Fund:** $3.40 billion in FY2026-27 from the Highway Fund for the Department of Transportation. * **Highway Trust Fund:** $2.57 billion in FY2026-27 from the Highway Trust Fund for the Department of Transportation. * **Information Technology Projects:** $165.67 million from the Information Technology Project Reserve for various IT modernization projects across state agencies. * **Disaster Recovery:** $50 million from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund to the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division, for future storm response and recovery. * **Teacher Salaries:** Includes specific monthly salary schedules for teachers for FY2025-26 and FY2026-27, with increases and supplements for advanced degrees and certifications. * **Principal Salaries:** Establishes annual salary schedules for principals based on school growth scores and average daily membership for FY2025-26 and FY2026-27. * **Other Personnel:** Adjusts salaries and provides bonuses for various state employees, including central office administrators, assistant principals, legislative employees, and judicial branch officials. * **Capital Improvements:** Authorizes various capital projects across state agencies, with funding primarily from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund. The bill also includes provisions related to tax adjustments, such as maintaining the individual income tax rate at 3.99% and establishing a back-to-school sales tax holiday. It also modifies the child and dependent care tax credit and increases the standard deduction. Several sections address specific program funding, administrative changes, and reporting requirements for various state departments and initiatives.